Avios sale – 50% off flights from London to US and Caribbean
Frequent traveller programme Avios has just launched a half price sale on Avios point redemptions on BA flights from London Gatwick.
As such, you can currently fly BA return to Antigua, Barbados, Dominican Republic, Orlando and Tampa for 25,000 Avios (was 50,000), and Mauritius for 30,000 Avios (was 60,000), plus fees and taxes.
To benefit from the discount, you need to fly from London Gatwick between 18 January 2015 and 19 March 2015, and return before 2 April 2015.
Availability is currently good. You should obviously search for what suits you, but we set out below example bookings for each destination:
Antigua
Barbados
Dominican Republic
Orlando
Tampa
Mauritius
The obvious catch is that you do need to pay taxes and fees (as you do on any Avios redemption). In all cases, taxes and fees work out at £350. As such, it’s worth checking the cash price on BA.com to make sure you’re getting value for your 25,000 Avios, but the likelihood is that you are.
Taking the example of Antigua:
- Avios flight = £350 + 25,000 Avios
- Cash flight = £627
Therefore your 25,000 Avios are saving you £277, valuing each Avios at 1.1p – a good return!
Note that this booking needs to be made via Avios.com, not BA.com. You can combine Avios from BA Executive Club (and Iberia Plus) with your Avios.com account, but in order to sign up to Avios.com, you need to have a UK address (get one here).
Finally, it’s also worth noting that Iberia Plus, another frequent traveller programme that uses Avios points, is offering a 25% discount on the Avios needed to fly from Madrid to certain destinations (including Business Class to Ecuador).
I’m left wondering if the Iberia YQ charges might be less and a better deal?
Yep. As you suggest, taxes and fees on Avios redemptions are invariably cheaper on Iberia (not least because you avoid Air Passenger Duty). However, you’re not going to be able to fly long haul from London with them. So if the Gatwick routes work for you, there could be some real value in that option. That said, if you’re flexible (in the location/time rather than yoga sense), it’s always worth looking at the Iberia alternatives on Avios bookings.